Parents caused death of nine-week-old baby boy after boozy row over lack of sex
A COUPLE was today convicted of causing the death of their nine-week-old baby after arguing about not having sex.
Luke Morgan, 26, and Emma Cole, 22, got into a heated row and neighbours heard them screaming at each other about their money problems.
The court heard Morgan was also angry because he wanted to have sex but had been prevent from doing so because their baby Tyler Morgan was still awake.
Paramedics were later called to the couple’s two bedroom flat in Burntwood, Staffs, on April 29, 2014 to find the child unresponsive.
Jurors were told how Tyler died after suffering broken ribs and being smothered. He also had what appeared to be a human bite on his arm.
HUMAN BITE
Last month the pair went on trial at Stafford Crown Court accused or murder, manslaughter, allowing the death of a child and cruelty to a child under 16-years-old.
Today, they were cleared of the manslaughter and murder charges but found guilty of the lesser charges.
They were in tears when the jury returned their verdicts on Monday afternoon.
Andrew Smith QC, prosecuting, told the court during the trial: “Tyler’s collapse had been caused by him being intentionally smothered or by his chest being compressed.”
Tyler’s collapse had been caused by him being intentionally smothered or by his chest being compressed.
Andrew Smith QC, prosecuting
The jury of eight men and six women heard how Morgan would sometimes make his son play air drums and had struck him on the back at least one occasion.
Mr Smith said Morgan would also put lemon juice or chilli crisps on the child’s tongue.
The court was told how on the night a neighbour had heard an argument between the defendants while Tyler was crying.
Mr Price said: “Luke Morgan was angry because he wanted to have sex with Miss Cole and had been prevented by Tyler being up.
HIGH PITCH SCREECH
“On the night of April 28, a neighbour went to bed at 10.30pm and she could hear them having an argument about having no money Emma was sobbing.
“In the early hours of April 29 there was a high pitch screech from Miss Cole.
“Barry and Helen Wood, at number 29, the flat above heard arguing in the hours before Tyler collapsed, they thought it may have been taking place in the kitchen.
“Mrs Wood said they were shouting at each other at 1am.
“The prosecution say they were having the arguments at a time when they were drinking alcohol.”
Cole dialled 999 at 2.42am to report Tyler was not breathing and was instructed to perform CPR by call-handlers.
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Mr Price added: “At 2.51am the first of the ambulance crew were met by Luke, he was crying and upset but showed the crew into the property.
“Tyler was lying with his back on the floor. Emma Cole was trying to do chest compressions. She was plainly very upset.
“When the paramedics were began to assess Tyler in the bedroom he was showing no signs of life and was in cardiac arrest. He showed no response.”
The couple will be sentenced at the same court on June 21.
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